A homeless couple in Carroll County, Georgia, has been arrested on charges of first-degree child cruelty and reportedly faces between 5 to 20 years if found guilty. The story has caused grave concern within the community after details emerged that they had abandoned three toddlers at a campsite for days, leaving them to starve, covered in feces, and, in one case, suffering brain damage.
According to WKRC, Jason Askea, 46, and Kira Askea, 41, had been residing at the campground in Little Tallapoosa Park with their children. The oldest is 5, the middle 4, and the youngest 2, who reportedly has Down syndrome. Children with special needs tend to require more attention and care, and in situations where they’re neglected, death is sadly not uncommon. As such, Jason and Kira’s 2-year-old required an oxygen and feeding tube to aid in his brain development. Sadly, when they abandoned the child, they cut the tube off, and the child now has brain damage.
